The rapid progress in the field of vitrectomy since its recent commencement may be clearly related to the development of microsurgical instrumentation for vitrectomy. In the early 1970s, a number of vitrectomy instruments were introduced in close succession. The experiences gained from this first generation of products were quickly fed back to make modifications and improvements for a second generation of products. Guillotine action cutters and bimanual concepts, for example, became the preferred norm. Concurrently, various instrument systems were developed to satisfy procedures of which vitrectomy is a part. The system concept is still evolving as this new discipline matures.